If you kept even half an eye on the 2026 Winter Olympics, you might have noticed the appearance of Team USA star Alysa Liu.
The 20‑year‑old figure skater was a standout performer at this year’s Games, winning gold in the women’s singles event on February 19, adding to the team gold she earned on February 8.
In doing so, Liu became the first American to win an individual Olympic figure skating gold medal in almost a quarter century (24 years, to be exact), and the first Team USA medalist in the event since 2006.
Making her achievements even more impressive, Liu returned to the sport in 2023 after an almost two‑year retirement that began in 2022 due to burnout following the Beijing Winter Olympics.
And while her exceptional skill on the ice deserved every bit of attention, it was an unusual detail about her appearance that quickly sent her viral.
After scoring 150.20 in the free skate — pushing her total score to 226.79 — Liu was a fitting gold‑medal winner. As she celebrated, cameras zoomed in on a striking ornament on her upper lip: what appeared to be two silver spikes positioned above her teeth.
The jewelry, reportedly known as a “smiley” piercing, involves inserting a ring or bar through the thin tissue connecting the upper gum to the lip — visible only when someone smiles or makes a wide facial expression.
Speaking back in January, Liu told NBC’s TMJ4 News that she had done the piercing herself with her sister’s help.
“I pierced it a little over two years ago now,” she explained.
“I had my sister hold up my lip, and I was looking up and I had my piercing needle… and then, yeah, I just put it through.”
Unsurprisingly, the piercing drew significant interest online — so much so that dentists are now warning fans not to copy the trend, especially if they plan to attempt it at home.
The American Dental Association (ADA) cautions that oral piercings carry heightened risks due to the amount of bacteria in the mouth.
“Your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection and swelling often occur with mouth piercings,” according to a guide published by MouthHealthy, in partnership with the ADA.
“For instance, your mouth and tongue could swell so much that you close off your airway, or you could possibly choke if part of the jewelry breaks off in your mouth,” it continues.
“In some cases, you could crack a tooth if you bite down too hard on the piercing, and repeated clicking of the jewelry against teeth can also cause damage.”
“Of course, the best option is to consider removing mouth jewelry before it causes a problem,” the guide later states.
“Don’t pierce on a whim. The piercing will be an added responsibility to your life, requiring constant attention and upkeep. Talk to your dentist for more information.”
The ADA also highlights other possible side effects of mouth piercings, including infection, swelling, bleeding, scarring, unusual discharge from the piercing site, damage to teeth and gums, and embedded jewelry that may later require surgical removal.
